[pct-l] Mosquitoes

[Susan Alcorn]

As said by others, it depends on the time, place, and weather. We just hiked central Oregon into WA -- Shelter Cove to Panther Creek. Mosquitoes were annoying near Sisters, but I only got out the head net for a short time one day. Probably things could have been much worse, but it was so cold, little was stirring besides us. For about 10 days, the temperatures were in the 30s at night and only occasionally in the 50s during the days. It was mostly rainy, drizzly, windy, and foggy. When we passed Mirror Lake, we could barely see the lake much less any reflections in it. 

We carry headnets, a rectangular piece (36" x 42") of netting that we can drape over legs or shoulders, and have a tarptent (with netting). We sprayed our clothes with Sawyers before we left, but its effectiveness wouldn't last through a thru-hike (I think they claim 16 washings). And full strength DEET.
Cheers,
Susan Alcorn "Backpack45"
P.S. The worst mosquitoes we have ever experienced were just north of Tuolumne Meadows (Yosemite).